The Battle of Midway (June 4 - 7, 1942) is widely regarded as one of the most important naval battles of World War II. Six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States preempted and defeated an attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy at Midway atoll. The odds overwhelmingly favored the Japanese. A Midway Marine Air Commander stated to his peers, “Any pilot taking off should be considered lost upon leaving the ground.” The victory inflicted permanent damage on the Japanese Navy, and allowed the United States and its allies to gain the offensive.
The event’s keynote speaker, Admiral Mark Ferguson, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, will attend the dinner with Midway Veterans, Midway widows, Medal of Honor and Purple Heart recipients, former Prisoners of War, Wounded Warriors, and other decorated members of our proud armed forces. Ferguson is a four-star United States admiral who has served since 1978. His former commands include Chief of Naval Personnel, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Chief of Legislative Affairs and Assistant Commander for Distribution, and Special Assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe.
The event is open to the public. The evening of fine dining and entertainment promises to be patriotic and emotional. It offers the community a rare opportunity to hear survivor stories first-hand. Tickets are $25 for Active Duty E-6 and below; $35 for E-7 to O3; $45 for O4 to O5; and $60 for O6 and above, civilians, and retirees. Uniform for O4 and above is dinner dress white jacket; O3 and below, dinner dress white/dinner dress white jacket optional; and civilian is black tie or business attire. Tickets may be purchased at the Navy League Mayport and Navy League St. Augustine locations, or online at www.midwaydinner.org.
